Feb 4, 2016

Her move hinges on Perry running for Florida Senate Published: Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 12:39 p.m. Last Modified: Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 12:39 p.m. Wenda Lewis, vice president and Chief Executive Officer of Gainesville-based Lewis Oil, has filed to run for the Florida House. Lewis, a Haile Plantation resident, signed up Tuesday to run as a Republican for House District 21, Florida Division of Elections records show. State Rep. Keith Perry R-Gainesville, the current incumbent, has voiced interest in a potential run for the newly drawn Florida Senate district that spans Alachua County, Putnam County and an area of Marion County. "I haven't filed any paperwork yet but my intention right now is to run for the new Senate seat," Perry said Thursday. "I've let some people know it is more likely to happen than not ... I am strongly leaning that way. " Perry said he expects to decide within a week. If Perry changes his mind and seeks re-election to the House, Lewis said through a written statement, she won't challenge him. “I have filed paperwork to explore a run for State House District 21 with the assumption that Representative Keith Perry will run for the State Senate,” Lewis wrote. “I have been extremely humbled with the initial reception and encouragement from people I’ve talked with, and this action allows us to take the next steps necessary for a successful campaign. We are preparing the official launch of the campaign but we will not formally release details until Representative Perry makes his intentions official.” Gainesville-based Lewis Oil has been in business for 54 years and has more than 30 Chevron and Texaco retail locations in 14 north central Florida counties. Lewis said she started working at the family business as a 7 year-old, stuffing envelopes. She said she's a member of the Florida Retail Association, the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association and the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She served on former Gov. Jeb Bush’s Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative and chaired the Alachua County Early Learning Coalition. She now serves on the board of Alachua County ElderCare. The qualifying period for the Florida House and Senate runs from noon June 20 to noon June 24. The Florida House District 20 seat of State Rep. Clovis Watson Jr., D-Alachua, is also on the ballot this fall. Watson has filed for re-election. Lewis Oil CEO Wenda Lewis could run for Perry seat By Christopher Curry Gainesville.com February 4, 2016 12:39 PM <p>Wenda Lewis, vice president and Chief Executive Officer of Gainesville-based Lewis Oil, has filed to run for the Florida House.</p><p>Lewis, a Haile Plantation resident, signed up Tuesday to run as a Republican for House District 21, Florida Division of Elections records show.</p><p>State Rep. Keith Perry R-Gainesville, the current incumbent, has voiced interest in a potential run for the newly drawn Florida Senate district that spans Alachua County, Putnam County and an area of Marion County.</p><p>"I haven't filed any paperwork yet but my intention right now is to run for the new Senate seat," Perry said Thursday. "I've let some people know it is more likely to happen than not ... I am strongly leaning that way. "</p><p>Perry said he expects to decide within a week. If Perry changes his mind and seeks re-election to the House, Lewis said through a written statement, she won't challenge him.</p><p>“I have filed paperwork to explore a run for State House District 21 with the assumption that Representative Keith Perry will run for the State Senate,” Lewis wrote. “I have been extremely humbled with the initial reception and encouragement from people I've talked with, and this action allows us to take the next steps necessary for a successful campaign. We are preparing the official launch of the campaign but we will not formally release details until Representative Perry makes his intentions official.”</p><p>Gainesville-based Lewis Oil has been in business for 54 years and has more than 30 Chevron and Texaco retail locations in 14 north central Florida counties. Lewis said she started working at the family business as a 7 year-old, stuffing envelopes.</p><p>She said she's a member of the Florida Retail Association, the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association and the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She served on former Gov. Jeb Bush's Alzheimer's Disease Initiative and chaired the Alachua County Early Learning Coalition.</p><p>She now serves on the board of Alachua County ElderCare.</p><p>The qualifying period for the Florida House and Senate runs from noon June 20 to noon June 24. The Florida House District 20 seat of State Rep. Clovis Watson Jr., D-Alachua, is also on the ballot this fall. Watson has filed for re-election.</p>